75gr Hornady HPBT or 77gr SMK in 223

[mao0720]

Just switched from a 1-9 twist to an 18in 1-7 twist barrel in my AR so I can finally stabilize the 75gr+ bullets! I wondering what the majority of people are using, the 75gr Hornady HPBT or the 77gr SMK. Ive heard that the hornady likes to be pushed hard and fast, can anyone provide any personal insight on this? Thanks for the help!

 

[rminut]

Hornady's are cheaper, therefore, you can shoot more, which is what this is all about. You will become a better shooter by shooting more. You cannot outshoot either bullet with your AR. BTW, Leverrevolution works great with either bullet.

 

[mao0720]

. BTW, Leverrevolution works great with either bullet.

Interesting to know. I shot all of last season (my first competitive shooting season) using LeveRevolution in my 308 FT/R rifle and got my Expert Card at the end of the season. I was thoroughly impressed with it. If I didn't have 12 LB of CFE223 Id try it with these 75s or 77s in 223.
Has anyone noticed either of these bullets to be particularly difficult to find a load for.

 

[MGYSGT]

I can't speak to the 77's, but the 75's are easy.

 

[skiutah02]

Just switched from a 1-9 twist to an 18in 1-7 twist barrel in my AR so I can finally stabilize the 75gr+ bullets! I wondering what the majority of people are using, the 75gr Hornady HPBT or the 77gr SMK. Ive heard that the hornady likes to be pushed hard and fast, can anyone provide any personal insight on this? Thanks for the help!

In my 1:8 Windham Weaponry VEX-SS I've shot several 1000 of the 75s, so have immense amount of data. Shot several 100 of the 77SMKs and have some data. Here is a back-to-back comparison I did one day. Can do better with bolt rifle, but it is fun to pull out the AR for some mid-range FTR on occasion.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3842664.msg36388943#msg36388943

If you PM me I can be more specific if necessary, but in short they can both work but wind can blow them around.

 

[SooStan]

You should have tried the 75 hornady before you changed barrels. Not the A-max that does require a faster twist. All of my 1-9 twist barrels shoot the 75 hornady bthp very very well.
Both shoot fine. I use 75 now for across the course as they are cheaper and handle the wind a little better but both shoot well.

 

[mao0720]

I had tried the 69gr hornady hpbt is my old barrel and it would not stabilize them so I figured the 75s were out.

 

[r bose]

You can use a bit more powder behind the 75 hornady's but at one time they had a reputation of coming apart mid flight if pushed too hard. You don't need to push either hard. Both are very good bullets. Don't dismiss the 77g Noslers. Also a very good bullet and if you buy the 1000 count box, it sells for about $160.00